Note: The info below is exactly what I email or mail to people who have registered for FallFling. It will tell you more about what to expect when you arrive, what to bring for potluck, and give you some guidelines. Please read the entire thing very carefully. You'll notice that some (but not all) of the info below is also found in the Rules and the Site Info - let's just say I believe in redundancy. I figure if you read a particularly important item two or three times, maybe you'll remember it! :)
All cars must STOP at the registration booth upon entering the site, and again every single time you re-enter the site. There will be no more "Registered FallFling Participants" passes given out, so you must stop to have every person in your car checked in (again). Absolutely NO ONE will be permitted to enter the site for any length of time whatsoever without having properly registered and paid. Anyone caught doing so will be immediately escorted from the site. If you are bringing something to someone already on-site, they will need to meet you at the registration booth. If someone is paying for you later, you cannot enter until your admission is paid by them. This rule is *not* negotiable.
Wristbands: Each and every adult, child (except for non-mobile babies), and properly registered dog will get a wristband which must be worn so that it is visible at all times. You will receive ONE wristband only; if yours breaks, you can come to Security Headquarters to have it repaired. If you lose your wristband, you will have to pay full admission fee ($50) again to be allowed to remain on-site. Again, this rule is *not* negotiable.
TAKE OUT YOUR OWN TRASH: We have moved to a Leave-No-Trace (LNT) ethic for Moondance and FallFling. This essentially means that YOU are responsible for removing any and all trash that you bring or generate while there (right, that means no trash trolls driving around in their truck to pick up your trash). The dumpsters down the road are closed to all except those with Carroll County tags; you will need to take all your trash home with you when you leave. If you'd like to read up on LNT, here are some good LNT principles & ideas as they apply to Burning Man specifically: http://www.burningman.co m/ environment/resources/lnt.html. Prepare ahead of time; remove all excess packaging from things, bring things in large containers rather than several small ones, prepackage your food before you leave home, plan to recycle some of your trash (glass, cans) later, check your camp and surrounding areas for MOOP (Matter Out of Place) very carefully before you leave.
Radical Self-Reliance: This means taking responsibility for yourself and the people around you. Come prepared. This is not an event where all the home comforts are supplied, or even available. You are expected to bring everything you think you will need: clothing, food, water, shelter, toiletries, first aid, toilet paper, etc. You *must* take home your own trash. You must clean up after yourself *everywhere* on site, and be sure your camp and surroundings are free of MOOP. There is no one there to clean up behind you or do things for you.
EARLY ARRIVALS: Please plan to arrive on *Thursday* or later! My staff and a few vendors who need to set up early are allowed to arrive on Wednesday with prior permission. Anyone arriving prior to Thursday morning at 9 am (except for my specific staff people) must pay $10/person/night to the site owners at the horse barn upon arrival. Keep in mind that FallFling starts THURSDAY (and *ends* on Sunday at noon) - people arriving early put a drain on electricity, propane, gas, water, etc., plus just make it hard for the site owners to do their mowing and maintenance.
DRIVE SLOW: When you come in the gate off the road, please remember to drive SLOWLY. Two reasons - this is a working horse stable, with riding lessons going on throughout the day. Cars driving too fast can spook the horses, leading to injury to both horse and rider - and these are KIDS on the horses. Also, because of the drought, the dirt roads are way dusty. The faster you drive, the more dust you stir up. This dust then settles back down on everyone's cars, tents, food, hair, and in their sinuses. Yuck. So drive slow enough so that you don't stir up a dust cloud (yeah, like 2 mph - seriously!).
2008 Important Information - The Second Flyer - NEW INFO! VERY IMPORTANT!! Please read the ENTIRE flyer - I add and change stuff every year, so even if you've read it all before, go over it again. Every year something happens, and I have to add a new rule. So read this so you'll be prepared, and so you won't be "*that* guy (or girl)" this year! (you know, the one who uses up all the propane taking a 2- hour long shower... or who sets the woods on fire... or who parks their car in the middle of a road...)
**Rule for those who build campfires: The site owners request that you move any rocks you used to build a ring around your fire. Put them in the trees, or anywhere not in the grassy areas. Their bushhog and mowers run over these rocks in the tall grass, and it tears up the blades, and costs several hundred $$ to replace!
**RVs/campers: There are no hookups on site for RVs or campers for electricity, A/C, sewage, etc. Non-vendor RVs and campers MAY NOT PLUG IN to the electrical grid - not at the reg booth, not at the Great Hall, not at the Kitchen - not anywhere - especially to run AC. The system is just not built to handle it. Vendors with RVs or campers may plug in if the electricity fee is paid, but this is only for lights and small appliances (absolutely not for air conditioning).
***Main points to remember: 1) NO ILLEGAL SUBSTANCES ALLOWED; 2) Dogs are not allowed; 3) please remove rocks that you built a fire ring from; 4) park your car properly (not in the middle of the roadway); 5) bring food for potluck (see "Meals"); 6) bring DISHES for potluck; 7) RVs must park at top of hill, and may NOT plug in to electricity grid (unless they belong to vendors, and no A/C is allowed); 8) except for *one* reserved camp spot, all areas are first-come-first served; 9) be nice to folks; 10) don't get stupid-drunk and ornery; 11) use your noggin, don't be stupid, keep the organizer happy and sane so *I* can have fun too, darn it!
THURSDAY: The site opens Thursday at noon Eastern Daylight Time. Come in, register, set up your camp, and meet folks.(If you have to arrive before Thursday morning at 9 am, you need to make arrangements with the site owners (770-258-1731) ahead of time and be prepared to pay $10 per person per night.) All cars must be moved to the parking area after unloading. Be sure to read the Schedule & Info Booklet you will be given at check-in! This will have the schedule, last-minute changes to site rules, and important emergency information.
FRIDAY: Classes and workshops begin on Friday morning. NO CARS allowed in merchant area in front of stage after 6:00 pm! You can drive around on one of the upper terraces, or come around the back way.
SATURDAY: Classes and workshops continue. There is a POT-LUCK feast Saturday night; see below for info. That night we'll have an open ritual to celebrate the dance of the Seasons. We'll top off the evening with music, dancing, and general revelry. Again, NO CARS allowed in merchant/stage area after 6:00 pm or during daytime music performance hours!
SUNDAY: The site closes Sunday at 12:00 p.m. EDT. ALL PEOPLE MUST BE OFF-SITE BY 3:00 PM ON SUNDAY!!!We'll need people to help clean up, starting early that morning.
THE SITE: Dragon Hills is a primitive camping site. Civilization (Carrollton, Georgia) is 15 miles away, with shopping malls, restaurants, and hotels. If you don't want to camp, do a Google search for hotels in Carrollton, GA, and you'll find plenty. The nearest gas station/quickie mart is just 1 mile away - when you shop there, PLEASE don't advertise to the locals that you're at a pagan festival!
REGISTRATION HOURS: Check-in will run continuously at the Registration Booth from Thursday at noon till midnight Saturday night/Sunday morning. Please sign up for a shift when you arrive!
THE ROADWAYS: Most of the roads at Dragon Hills are pretty obvious and are easy to keep clear. But, the road going through the trees at the top of the hill, which then goes down to the sweatlodge area, is rather narrow. ALL ROADS MUST BE KEPT CLEAR ALL WEEKEND!!! This is so emergency vehicles (i.e., large fire trucks) can get in and out. If roads are not kept clear, cars will be towed! A worst-case scenario is that the fire folks could shut the whole festival down. Very bad news. So do your part, and keep your cars and tents out of these narrow roads. Also, please limit your driving past the Kitchen to the Stage area to unload as cars stir up lots of dust, and this is a pedestrian area. The roadway between the Kitchen and the Stage must be kept clear at all times - NO PARKING HERE EVEN TO UNLOAD! (You can park on one of the terraces.) (Warning: the merchants in that area may be armed with SuperSoakers to douse people who park their cars in the roadway!) No cars whatsoever will be allowed on this roadway after 6:00 pm on Friday and Saturday nights or during daytime performance times.. This is a pedestrian area, and safety comes first. You may drive on the upper terraces, or around the back side, on the alternate route shown on the map, but the terraces are kind of rough. Please respect this route as a road, and keep it clear of cars and tents cars may not be parked in the lower area past the stage. This is for camping and driving only.
PARKING: We have plenty of parking at Dragon Hills, in the field across from the upper showers and down the hill on the same side. Do NOT park past the drum circle, and definitely DO NOT double-park behind other cars. If you plan to sleep in your car or pickup truck, you should park at the top of the hill near the showers (nice and shady). DO NOT park your car near the campsites, then leave it for any length of time! If you must park your car temporarily somewhere (as to unload), leave your keys in the ignition so we can move it in an emergency. In the Weyr and main area (Stage and merchant area and on along the tree line and terraces), ALL cars must be moved to the parking area after unloading: the only exception is merchants with prior permission to park at their booths, and they will have a permission sticker to attach to their vehicle. Campers at the top of the hill and quiet area may keep their cars near their camp, as long as the roadways are completely clear (think huge fire trucks coming through). Due to safety reasons (kids, etc.) NO CARS ALLOWED in the merchant area in front of the Stage after 6:00 pm on Fri. and Sat. nights or during daytime performance times!
RECREATIONAL VEHICLES/LARGE CAMPERS: Due to uneven terrain, all big RVs and large campers must be parked at the top of the hill near the showers, except for merchants who vend out of their camper/RV. Small campers may set up in a flat camping area. There are no hookups on site for RVs or campers for electricity, A/C, sewage, etc. Non-vendor RVs and campers MAY NOT PLUG IN to the electrical grid, especially to run AC. The system is just not built to handle it. Vendors with RVs or campers may plug in if the electricity fee is paid, but this is only for lights and small appliances (absolutely not for air conditioning). All RVs and campers must run silently in self-contained mode (no generators!!).
CAMPING: There is only one reserved spot at FallFling. All other areas are public domain and are up for grabs, but please ASK before you set up next to someone else, in case they have that area set aside for their group. A map will be provided at check-in directing you to the camping and parking areas. There is a lovely flat, grassy plain at the top of the hill DON'T camp there! This is the main ritual area, and is marked by four large stones and an altar. Also, the field across from the showers (just past the registration booth) is the parking field. Past the booth and showers, the main road curves around to the right and goes down the hill. This road, going down the hill, separates the parking area on the right from the main gathering area, including most camping, on the left. You may also camp across from the drum circle, just above the Weyr. Also, ALL cars must be moved to the parking area after unloading (merchants ONLY may keep their car or camper near their booth if there is a special need and with prior permission). Due to terraces (hit them at an angle, not straight on), it's not that easy to drive around the perimeter of the site, but it is possible (maybe not for sports cars, though). Remember, NO CARS ALLOWED IN VENDOR AREA IN FRONT OF STAGE AFTER 6:00 pm on Friday and Saturday. Plan for this. We're serious. There are just way too many kids and people walking around in what should be a safe area. You can drive around on one of the upper terraces, or drive around the back way (alternate route on map) if you need to, but be careful of driving over the terraces.
WATER: There is cold running water at the sinks by the Kitchen for washing. You should still plan on bringing some water for your campsite - 3-5 gallons. There is hot water for showers, but please remember the supply is not infinite. One year the propane gas which heats the water was completely used up by someone taking a two-hour long shower; please be considerate in your usage and take SHORT showers! Hot water will be cut off at midnight. MEALS: For the Potluck Feast on Saturday night, if your last name starts with: A-F, bring meat dishes; G-M, bring appetizers, salads, cheeses, or breads; N-S, bring desserts; or T-Z, bring veggie dishes. Please label your dish with all ingredients on an index card so allergies, etc. can be avoided! In addition to your food contribution, bring feast gear plate, bowl, cup, utensils, and SERVING SPOONS for your dish. Disposable feast gear is fine, but please be earth-friendly. You'll also need beverages. Keep your food contribution at your camp until time for the potluck, and plan on cooking your own food, as we don't provide cooking or storage services. PLEASE PUT AWAY YOUR PERISHABLE FOOD IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE POTLUCK!! All other meals are provide-your-own; you'll need to bring food and cookware, and grill or campstove (or buy meals from the food vendors). The kitchen is off-limits to participants. There are sinks outside the Kitchen for dishwashing (no hot water). Please bring a cooler for your food - there are no storage facilities in the Kitchen for food or drinks.
FOOD VENDORS: Quacker Barrell will be on-site to provide their yummy food (breakfast foods, hot dogs, hamburgers, french fries, snacks, drinks) for a reasonable price all weekend, including breakfast, lunch, and dinner, and lots of coffee! They will be arriving Thursday. There may be other food vendors there, too. Plan for this, so you don't have to bring too much food of your own if you don't want to.
DRUMMING: All drumming should be restricted to the main drum circle. Drumming needs to end by 10 pm on Thursday night. This is a compromise worked out with the neighbors and local law enforcement.
RESPECT PEOPLE: These festivals are an attempt to build community, not further divide people into cliques. Please do your part by following some simple guidelines. When you visit other camps, respect them as you would someone else's house or living room. In other words, introduce yourself, don't just stand and stare. Be considerate about grabbing an empty chair ask if you may sit down first. And if you receive a visitor to your camp, introduce yourself, and make the visitor feel at home. Also, remember that this is a clothing-optional festival consider this if you are bringing kids or new friends. And just because women walk around topless doesn't give you license to stare excessively and make lewd remarks. This is grounds for removal from the site!
FIRE SAFETY: After battling a forest fire at a previous festival, we're a bit paranoid about fires. If you light a fire, stay with it. If you light a fire, stay with it. Keep a fire extinguisher or bucket of water by your fire at all times. Rake away all leaves and debris from around the fire. DO NOT build up a big, roaring fire and leave it! (Leaving a small fire or bed of coals for a short time is okay.) Also, if you plan to have a fire at your campsite, PLEASE BRING YOUR OWN FIREWOOD! Finally, the site owners request that you MOVE ANY ROCKS you used to build a ring around your fire. Their bushhog runs over these rocks in the tall grass, and it tears up the blades, and costs several hundred $$ to replace!
LNT - TRASH, CIGARETTE BUTTS, and BOTTLE CAPS: LNT means Leave No Trace! Take your trash home with you! (See top of page) We will NOT have anyone to haul off your trash. YOU are responsible for taking your trash home with you. If you are caught leaving trash behind when you leave the site for good, you will NOT BE INVITED BACK! Also, please DO NOT toss cigarette butts OR bottle caps on the ground or in the main bonfire! Anyone caught doing so will be placed on cigarette butt/bottle cap duty, OR will not be invited back again. Take your pick.